What is Port 80?

by Colin Cohen | Published on February 09, 2024

Port 80 provides a means for transmitting web data between web servers and clients. It was once the most used method for doing this, but it has been superseded by port 443 due to its lack of security.

Definition of Port 80

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) assigned port 80 to HTTP. Originally, all web data was transmitted over this port. However, because of the need for more security on this port, today, most web traffic happens over port 443 using HTTPS. Still, because many Internet users have been trained to type http before entering a web domain, web servers often have to respond over port 80 before redirecting traffic to port 443.

Port 80’s Role in the Context of Networking

If you look at the Internet as one large network, you can think of port 80 as connecting devices over this network. Web servers deliver web pages to web browsers on this network over this port.

Common Misconceptions about Port 80

One misconception about port 80 is that it is the main port for transmitting web data. While this was once true, most web traffic now happens over port 443.

Another misconception about port 80 is that it is entirely obsolete. Many Internet users still connect to the port when surfing the web. But most web servers will redirect these connections to port 443 because it’s more secure.

What is the Relationship Between Port 80 and 443?

Both port 80 and port 443 are for transmitting web data over the Internet. But port 80, unlike port 443, does this insecurely.

Understanding their Roles in Web Communication

Both port 80 and port 443 enable web communication by allowing web servers to deliver web pages to web browsers and other web clients. You use the HTTP protocol when using port 80 and the HTTPS protocol when using port 443.

Exploring the Differences Between Port 80 and Port 443

The main difference between port 80 and port 443 is that traffic over port 80 is unencrypted, while traffic over port 443 is encrypted using SSL/TLS. This means that, when using port 80, anyone who intercepts the communication between a web server and a web client can read what is being transmitted.

What Is TCP Port 80?

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) establishes reliable connections between web clients and web servers over port 80. It’s what ensures that web data is passed in an orderly and error-free fashion.

Detailed Explanation of TCP and Its Relevance to Port 80

TCP allows web clients and web servers to create connections over port 80, during which data is passed between them in an orderly and error-free manner. TCP is a fundamental component of both HTTP and HTTPS. Without it, clients and servers couldn’t reliably exchange data.

How TCP Operates Through Port 80

TCP over port 80 operates in the following manner:

1. A connection is established between the client and server through a three-step SYN-ACK handshaking process.

2. Data is transferred between the client and server, with packets received in the same order they were sent and checked for errors.

3. The connection between the client and server is terminated through a FIN-ACK handshaking process.

Significance of TCP Port 80 in Internet Communication

The significance of TCP over port 80 in Internet communication cannot be understated. Internet users must know that the data they receive in their browser is exactly what was sent by the server. The same is true for data that they send to the server. The web as we know it couldn’t exist without the proper transport control that TCP provides.

What Is Port 80 Used for?

You use port 80 for transmitting data between web servers and web browsers. While port 80 has largely been superseded by port 443, the port is still used in Internet communication.

Detailed Overview of What Port 80 is Commonly Used for

Web servers and web browsers have commonly used port 80 to deliver and receive web content. In the days before the use of HTTPS was predominant, whenever a user entered a web address in their browser, the browser would contact the web server over port 80 to get the particular web page that the user wanted to visit. Today this normally happens over port 443 instead.

Examples of Services and Applications that Rely on Port 80

The most common applications that rely on port 80 are web browsers and servers. The two communicate over this port. While most web traffic transmits over port 443 in the modern age, browsers still depend on port 80 whenever a user types http before entering a web domain. Though this traffic is usually redirected to port 443.

The Impact of Port 80 on Web Browsing and Server Communication

In the days prior to HTTPS, port 80 had a fundamental impact on web browsing and server communication, as most web traffic was delivered over this port. While its impact is no longer so great, web browsers and servers still communicate over the port.

What are the Security Aspects of Port 80?

Port 80 is inherently insecure because data passed over it transmits in plaintext. For this reason, you should redirect traffic from this port to port 443.

Addressing Security Concerns Related to Port 80

As there is no encryption over port 80, it isn’t secure, and you should not use it for transmitting web data. Instead, you should redirect web traffic sent to port 80 to port 443.

Common Vulnerabilities Associated with Port 80

When you transmit data over port 80, you do so in plaintext. This means that if a malicious third party intercepts the communication between the client and the server through means such as a packet sniffer, they can access sensitive information such as credit card numbers.

Best Practices for Securing Port 80 in a Network Environment 

You should keep port 80 open in your firewall because many Internet users will still connect to your site over this port. Instead of closing the port, you should configure your web server to redirect traffic from port 80 to port 443. You can further implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to make this more automatic.

Conclusion

You use port 80 for transmitting web data between web servers and web clients using HTTP. However, because transmissions over this port are unencrypted, you should instead use HTTPS over port 443. But you should still keep port 80 open in your firewall and redirect traffic sent to it to port 443.